Preformed step structure



May 1,1945. w. R. wALE PREFORMED STEP STRUCTURE F'iled June 29, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l May l, 1945. WR. WALE 2,374,905

PREFORMED STEP STRUCTURE Filed June 29, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I m'entor W15/wey Parenred May i, 1945 'www j UNITED "STATES lPATENT o-FFICB A .2,374,905 PREFORMED STEP STRUCTURE Wiibertn. Wale, 'role'adohw Application .J une 29, 1944,?Scrial No.v 542,712

p claims. (ci. 'zz-,416i

Myinvention relates :to improvements in steps, especially, although not. necessarily, 1 door steps, theprimary object in view being to provide inexpensive, easily constructed'steps of preformed slabs, or beams, together with means; for *permanently and rigidly connecting the slabs together so las to form a substantially indestructible assernb-lyvwhich is proof against sagging, or settling, throughout the same; and in which the connecting means is hidden from view.

Other and subordinate objects are also comprehended by my invention, all of which, together withtthe precise natureof my `improvements, will be readily understood when'the succeedingdescription and `claims are read with reference tothe drawings" accompanying and forming partof this specification.`

In said drawings: j i ,I

Figure 1 is a; view in sideelevation of` a preformed step structure constructed in .accordance with my invention, in its preferred embodiment,

FigurcZ is a view. in horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

preformed concreteslabs 1 of similar length arrangedito form a butt joint 8 in the longitudinal center 'of the stair structure and with outer ends fitting against the front ends of the slabs 2 of the sidewalls I. Eachslab I is provided in its rear sideand adjacent its outer end `witha notch I similar to the notch 2' in the adjacent slab v2 and mating with the notch 2' with its sidewalls' converging rearwardly. 'At their inner ends the slabs Figure 4 is a view in` vertical section taken on Athe line 4-4 of Figure 2 and drawn to an enlarged scale,

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of one of the wall slabs.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a modied form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, and rst to Figures 1 to 5, my improved step structure, in its preferred embodiment, comprises a pair of side walls I each embodying-superposed slabs, or beams, 2 arranged in superposed relation with the front ends ofsuccessively higher slabs 2 set back from the front ends of the lower slabs to support the treads, presently described. The slabs 2 are preformed of molded concrete each with a vertical central notch 2' in the front end thereof, the sides of which converge forwardly, as best shown in Figure 2. Adjacent the rear ends of the walls I, each" slab 2 is formed with a vertical through bore 3 therein, the bores 3 of the slabs 2 of each side wall being vertically aligned, as shown in Figure 3, A single cylindrical key 4 with a central core 5 in the form of a metal rod extends through the bores 3 of the slabs 2 of each sidewall I to connect said slabs together at the rear end of the wall. The keys 4 are formed of poured concrete introduced into the bores 3 around the core 5.

The risers 8 are preferably formed of a pair of l of each` riser 6 are formed with a pair of vertical .mating notches similar to thenotches 2', 1', anddesignated. W.. w Poured concrete keys i0 inthe notches 22:1? secure theouter endsof the slabs 1 ofeach riser 5 totheifront ends of the. appropriate .slabs 2-`of theside walls t. Similar keys II in each-paire! notches 9 secure the slabs 'll oi each riser I together. The keys III,` II may be reinforced 'by upright. rods,` as at I2 and byfcrimped strip reinicio-ement of suitable metal, as at I3-. t

`The treadsfxllxarc preferably formed of single preformedecncrete slabs supported bythe front ends of the slabs 2 and the risers 6. Each tread I4 is provided with right angled keyrods I5 having one end embedded in the tread and the other end depending from the tread, said key rods I5 having the depending `ends thereof embedded in the keys I0, II which, it will be understood,

`is accomplished by inserting said ends of the key rods I5 in said keys I0, II before the latter are set. I

In case a center wall is desired in the step structure, said wall is formed in substantially the samemanner as the side walls 2 with a notch IB in the front end of each slab I'I, as shown in Figure 6. The inner ends of the slabs I8 of the risers I9 are provided with a pair of right angled vertical notches 20 similar to the pair of notches 9 but forming `with the notch I6a cruciform notch arrangement, as shown in Figure 6, .for containing a transversely cruciform poured concrete key 2| reinforced in the same manner as previously described with reference to the notches 2',` I

and 9'. I

`The manner in which the described component parts of my improved step structure are assembled will' be lreadily understood. The side walls Il and the center wall, if such be required, are

bores 3. The risers 6 and I9, as the case may be, are then properly located and the keys4 I0, I I,

2I poured in. The treads I4 are next secured in proper position with the rods I 5 embedded in the keys I0, II and 2|, as will be understood.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims What I claim is:

1. A step structure comprising elongated superposed wall-forming members having front and rear ends, the front ends of successively higher members being stepped back from the front ends of lower members, a vertical single key connecting the rear ends of the members of each said wall, risers extending across said front ends of the members, keys extending from the risers into said front ends of said members, treads overlying said front ends of said members and said risers, and keys depending from said treads into the second-mentioned keys, said members, risers and treads comprising preformed concrete slabs.

2. A step structure comprising elongated superposed wall-forming members having front and rear ends, thefront ends of successively higher members being stepped back from the front ends of lower members, a, vertical single key connecting the rear ends 0f the members of each said wall, risers extending across saidfront ends of the members, keys extending from the risers into said front ends of said members, treads overlying vsaid front ends of said members and said risers, and keys depending from said treads into the second-mentioned keys, said members, risers and treads comprising preformed concrete slabs, said risers comprising pairs of slabs arranged with ends abutting, and keys connecting the abutting ends of said pairs together.

3. A step structure comprising elongated superposed wall-forming 4members having front and rear ends, the front ends of successively higher members being stepped back from the front ends of lower members, a vertical single key connecting the rear ends of the members of each said wall, risers extending across said front ends of the members, keys extending from the risers into said front ends of said members, treads overlying said front ends of said members and said risers, and keys depending from said treads into the second-mentioned keys, said members, risers and treads comprising preformed concrete slabs, the second-mentioned keys flaring inwardly ef the risers and members.

4. A step structure comprising elongated superposed wall-forming members having front and rear ends, the front ends of successively higher members being stepped back from the front ends of lower members, a vertical single key connecting the rear ends of the members of each said wall, risers extending across said front ends of the members, keys extending from the risers into said front ends of said members, treads overlying said front ends of said members and said risers, and keys depending from said treads into the second-mentioned keys, said members, risers and treads comprising preformed concrete slab's, the second-mentioned keys being formed of poured concrete.

5. A step structure comprising elongated superposed wall-forming members having front and rear ends, the front ends of successively higher members being stepped back from the front ends of lower members, a vertical single key connecting the rear ends of the members of each said wall, risers extending across said front ends of the members, keys extending from the risers into said front ends of said members, treads overlying said front ends of said members and said risers, and keys depending from said treads into the second-mentioned keys, said members, risers and treads comprising preformed concrete slabs, said depending keys comprising metal rods embedded at one end in said treads.

WILBERT R. WALE. 

